You wrote "We cannot let our past rule our future".
If this is just realizing a dont want and followed by a shift of focus on what he DOES want I see him being downstream.
If he dwells on and describes what is and what was it would be upstream.
Also, there are plenty examples on famous artists who are rich yet definitely going upstream, I am thinking of rappers for example. The question is, what else is going on their lives - are they healthy? In a happy relationship? How long does the abundance last? Many have lost it all and gotten in debt no matter how much money they once made temporarily.
These are my thoughts - maybe not the most helpful LOL